Today, after the mass sackings that plunged Australian cricket into crisis, Hughes has received the stay of execution that can secure his spot for the Ashes.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke will not say it publicly, but Hughes was a dead man walking, for the third time in his career, after scoring only 25 runs in the opening two Tests against India.

Then came the axing of Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Johnson and James Pattinson, delivering Hughes his Steven Bradbury last-man-standing moment.

Khawaja would be wearing the baggy green in the third Test against India today had he done his homework.

Hughes, as 12th man, would most likely have been serving him Gatorade, but the pint-sized No.3 is thirsting for runs himself and can shut the door on Khawaja's Ashes dream with a career-defining innings in the third Test.

Should he be ruled out, Brad Haddin and Steve Smith are certain starters and likely to bat at No.5 and No.6 ahead of Moises Henriques.

If Wade is passed fit, Smith is expected to win the nod over Haddin. Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle will lead the pace attack, with Glenn Maxwell and Xavier Doherty expected to deny spinner Nathan Lyon.

Asked who would be his deputy for this Test, Clarke said: "Shane Watson's still the vice-captain in this series.

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